Washington Post columnist compares Nancy Pelosi’s contemptuous clap to 'Arrested Development' character
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Washington Post columnist Monica Hesse described House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s clap during President Trump’s State of the Union speech as “Lucille Bluth-like in its contemptuousness.” (20th Century Fox/Doug Mills/The New York Times via AP)
A Washington Post columnist on Wednesday wrote in a column that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's contemptuous clap during President Trump' State of the Union was "Lucille Bluth-like."
Bluth is the matriarchal character in the former TV series "Arrested Development." Bluth's character, played by, Jessica Walter, is unloving and, as The New York Times put it, lobs "80-proof Molotov cocktails of sarcasm" during the show.
The House Speaker was relatively expressionless during Trump’s nearly 90-minute speech. But an image of the peculiar way she applauded when Trump mentioned bipartisanship quickly made the rounds on social media.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Monica Hesse, the columnist, wrote, "The lasting visual image can only be described as . . . withering? Pitying? Lucille Bluth-like in its contemptuousness?" She added: "[T]his was a derogatory clap, make no mistake. This was mockery wearing a half-baked costume of politeness."
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Hesse likened Pelosi’s supposed mockery of Trump to a "parent applauding a kindergartner for tying his shoes when the only goal is to quickly scoot him out the door."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Hesse’s piece also mentioned comedian Patton Oswalt, who evidently shares her view of the image, having written on twitter after Trump’s speech: "Congrats to @SpeakerPelosi for inventing the “f--- you” clap. #sotu."